Glossary

AADT - Annual Average Daily Traffic - The number of vehicles through a designated intersection or roadway segment per day averaged from a year's worth of data.

ADT - Average Daily Traffic - The number of vehicles through a designated segment or intersection averaged from counts collected over a stated period of time less than one year.

ABAG - Association of Bay Area Governments - A Bay Area regional agency with various regionwide land-use planning and technical assistance responsibilities. ABAG projects changes in land use and economic activity for the region.

AB 84 - The original bill number for the state legislation that required Project Study Reports (PSRs) and the development of Future Project Development lists by the counties.

AB 434 - Motor Vehicle Registration Fee for Clean Air in the Bay Area - State legislation authorizing BAAQMD to impose a surcharge of up to four dollars on vehicle registration fees. Funds can be used for designated types of transportation programs which will reduce emissions in the Bay Area. The District has labeled the moneys TFCA - Transportation Fund for Clean Air. Sixty percent of the dollars are distributed by the Air District based on a regional competitive grant application process. The remained is distributed to county-based Program Managers for distribution.

AB 3705 - Countywide Transportation Plans - 1988 legislation which provided a voluntary process for counties to develop long-range transportation plans as primary input to the Regional Transportation Plan. Napa County has not prepared an AB 3705 plan.

ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act - A far-reaching federal act that prohibits discrimination against all individuals with disabilities. With certain exceptions, public and private entities providing transportation services must acquire accessible vehicles. In addition, public entities must provide complementary paratransit service for individuals who cannot use fixed-route service.

Appropriation - Legislation that allocates budgeted funds from general revenues to programs that have been previously authorized by other legislation. The amount of money appropriated may be less than the amount authorized.

Apportionment - At the federal level, approval by the Office of Management and Budget for an agency to spend funds appropriated by Congress. The public reporting of the OMB approved apportionment, detailing the amount of transit formula funding available to each urbanized area or designated recipient, is done by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA- see p. 5) and is commonly referred to as "the apportionment."

ARB - California Air Resources Board - State agency with primary responsibility for implementing the California Clean Air Act.

Attainment - Achievement by an air basin of Federal and/or State ambient air quality standards for a given pollutant for three consecutive years. State law categorizes non-attainment basins according to their projected attainment date. The Bay Area is designated as severe for ozone and carbon monoxide. Federal law categorizes non-attainment air basins according to their "design value" for particular pollutants. The Bay Area is a non-attainment area for ozone.

Authorization - Federal legislation that creates the policy and structure of a program including formulas and guidelines for awarding funds. Authorizing legislation may set an upper limit on program spending or may be open ended, as in "such sums as may be necessary". General revenue funds to be spent under an authorization must be appropriated by separate legislation.

AVO - Average Vehicle Occupancy - The average number of persons in a vehicle.

AVR - Average Vehicle Ridership - see above.

BAAQMD - Bay Area Air Quality Management District - The regional agency created by the state legislature for the Bay Area air basin (Alameda, Contra Costa, half of Solano, half of Sonoma, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara counties) that develops, in conjunction with MTC and ABAG, the air quality plan for the region. BAAQMD has an active role in approving the TCM (see p. 13) plan for the region, and in controlling stationary and indirect sources of air pollution.

BCDC - Bay Conservation and Development Commission - State mandated regional agency that has permitting powers for structures, actions or programs that effect the Bay and its tidal marshes.

Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program – (HBRR – Highway Bridge Replacement Program) – SAFE TEA-LU (see p. 12) retains the bridge program from previous federal legislation.

CARB - See ARB above.

CCAA - California Clean Air Act - 1988 legislation (AB 2595) which established California’s ambient air quality standards for ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.

Caltrans - The California State Department of Transportation is responsible, as the owner/operator of the state highway system for its safe operation and maintenance. Proposes projects for the ITIP (see p. 12). Caltrans also is responsible for the SHOPP (see p. 7), Toll Bridge, and Aeronautics programs. Caltrans is the implementing agency for most state highway projects and for the Intercity Rail program.

CAP - Bay Area Clean Air Plan - Regional plan to reduce ozone and carbon monoxide pollution in the Bay Area and attain State ambient air quality standards for these pollutants.

Capital Improvement - "After deducting expenditures for administration, operation, maintenance, local assistance, safety, and rehabilitation … the remaining funds shall be available for capital improvement projects to be programmed by the state transportation improvement program.” (Streets and Highways Code 163(e))

CEQA - California Environmental Quality Act - State statutes and regulations that control the environmental impact analysis procedure in California for "projects" as defined. The state equivalent of NEPA (see p. 9).

Conformity - Finding that a plan confirms with the SIP’s purpose of eliminating or reducing the severity and number of violations of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Conformity also means that the plan will help achieve expeditious attainment of the standards, and that activities in the conforming plan will not a) cause of contribute to any new violations of any standard in any area, b) increase the frequency or severity of an existing violation of any standard in any area, or c) delay timely attainment of any standard or any required interim emission reductions or other milestones in any area.

CMA - Congestion Management Agency - County organization responsible for preparing and implementing CMP (see below). CMA's are designated by county boards of supervisors and city councils. CMA's may perform other functions. Napa County does not have a CMA.

CMP - Congestion Management Program - A multi-jurisdictional program to reduce traffic congestion, which is an option of every county in California with an urbanized area at least 50,000 people as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, unless the majority of the jurisdictions in that county have determined not to have a CMA.

CMAQ - Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program - A funding program established by SAFE TEA-LU (see p. 8) for projects and programs that contribute to the attainment of the national ambient air quality standard. Funds are available to non-attainment areas for ozone and carbon monoxide based on population and severity of pollution. Eligible projects are defined by the approved State Implementation Program (SIP) (see p. 12).

CNG – Compressed Natural Gas – Used to indicate that the fuel for an engine is methane (natural gas). CNG is a major alternative fuel for light, medium, and heavy-duty engines.

Cooperation/consultation - Two terms used in SAFE TEA-LU (see p. 12) regarding the relationship between state, regional, and local officials in developing plans and programs. Commonly interpreted to mean to work together, this term will be the subject of debate in the development of the federal Joint Planning regulations.

Corridor - Any major transportation route that includes parallel limited access highways, major arterials, or transit lines. A corridor may include more distant transportation routes that can serve as viable alternatives to each other in the event of traffic incidents.

County entitlements – First instituted in 1983 as the county minimum and continued with modifications since, the county entitlement represents the minimum share of programming each county should receive. Under this statute (Sections 188 and 188.8 of the Streets and Highways Code), 75% of the capital improvement (see p. 3) funds must be allocated to each county according to a formula based 75% on county population and 25% on centerline state highway miles in the county. The county entitlement is accounted for over a fixed four-year period.

CTC - California Transportation Commission - A nine-member board appointed by the governor and confirmed by the legislature that reviews Regional Transportation Improvement Programs (RTIPs) and the ITIP (see p. 7) and forwards transportation projects from these programs into the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), which qualifies the projects for state funding. The CTC also has financial oversight over other major programs, including the Traffic Congestion Relief Fund (TCRF - see p. 13).

DBE – Disadvantaged Business Enterprise – The umbrella term for businesses owned by minorities (disadvantaged business enterprise), females (women business enterprise – WBE), and, in some instances, small business enterprises (SBE). DBE may mean one, two or all three of these in conversation. Agencies that accept federal funds are required to have a program that includes a non-mandatory target for expending a percentage of the federal funds with qualifying DBEs.

DOT - Department of Transportation - The federal department that includes the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). USDOT is headed by the Secretary of Transportation, a cabinet-level post.

EPA - Environmental Protection Agency - The federal agency charged with protecting the environment.

EIR - Environmental Impact Report - The document that contains a full environmental impact analysis under CEQA. Somewhat different in requirements and emphasis than an EIS (see below) under the federal NEPA.

EIS - Environmental Impact Statement - The document that contains the full environmental impact analysis required under the federal NEPA.

FCAA - Federal Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 - Landmark federal legislation Congress that renews the federal Clean Air Act and makes significant program changes. For the transportation sector, changes include a definition of conformity and requirements for formulation by EPA and DOT of conformity regulations, and requirements for the use and development of clean-fueled vehicles.

FCR - Flexible Congestion Relief - One of the state funding programs for local or regional transportation projects to reduce congestion. State highway projects, local roads, and rail guideway projects are all eligible.

Federal Aid System – The set of roads and streets, as determined by the FHWA, eligible for federal funding.

FFGA - Full Funding Grant Agreement - Establishes the terms and conditions of federal financial support for a project, including the maximum level of financial support.

FHWA - Federal Highway Administration - The federal agency responsible for the approval of transportation projects that affect the federal highway system. It is part of DOT (Department of Transportation) and is the sister agency of FTA (see below).

FTA - Federal Transit Administration - The federal department of mass transportation, under US DOT (Department of Transportation). The sister agency to FHWA (see above).

FTA Section 5303 Funds - Transit operating funds provided by the federal government through FTA. Originally made available through Section 8 of the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1972, and continued under ISTEA (see p. 7) TEA-21 + TEA-LU(see page 13) Section 5303 funds are available for planning components of the operating budget, such as development of Short Range Transit Plans (see p. 12).

FTA Section 5309 Capital Funds - Discretionary and formula transit capital funds provided by the federal government through FTA. The funds are divided into New Starts (for rail services), Fixed Guideway Maintenance, and Bus and Bus Facilities. New Rail Starts and Extensions are operates through earmarking at the Congressional level, Fixed Guideway funds are formula-based, and Bus and Bus Facilities are discretionary. Local match is usually 20 percent.

FTA Section 5307 Formula Funds – Formula capital funds provided by the federal government through FTA to urban areas. Available only to support capital budgets unless the urban area is less than 200,000 population, then half can be used for operating expenses. The total amount of Section 5307 funds is determined by Congress each year and is then divided among regions and operators within regions on a formula basis. Projects that meet the mandates of the Americans with Disabilities Act or Federal Clean Air Act are funded on a 90% federal - 10% local basis.

FTA Section 5310 Funds - Capital funds apportioned to states by the federal government through FTA to providers of transportation for the elderly and disabled. This program is administered by Caltrans, and is intended primarily for nonprofit providers although local jurisdictions can be eligible. Projects that meet the mandates of the Americans with Disabilities Act or Federal Clean Air Act are funded on a 90% federal - 10% local basis.

FTA Section 5311 Funds - Transit funds provided by the federal government through FTA by formula to rural areas. Administered by Caltrans in California, these funds can be used for either capital or operating expenses. Capital projects require a 20% local match. Operating projects require a 50% local match. Projects which meet the mandates of the Americans with Disabilities Act or Federal Clean Air Act are funded on a 90% federal - 10% local basis.

FTIP – Federal Transportation Improvement Program – Same as TIP (see p. 14).

Fund Estimate - The STIP (see p. 13) cycle begins with Caltrans developing a state Fund Estimate, which compares existing commitments against total estimated revenue expected from state and federal sources. Caltrans estimates state and federal funds reasonably expected in annual increments for five years (the STIP period). The calculation of existing capital program commitments is based on Caltrans' Project Delivery Report (see p. 10), while non-capital expenditures of operation and administration costs are estimated based on current spending and projected needs. This comparison of revenues to commitments results in an estimate of total uncommitted funds that are available for programming and which are then prorated to each program category. The Fund Estimate is required by law to be submitted by July 15 in odd-numbered years and to be adopted by the CTC by August 15 of odd numbered years. CTC adopts a policy, known as the "Fund Estimate Methodology" to guide Caltrans in formulating the fund estimate.

HOV Lane - High Occupancy Vehicle Lane - Highway lane dedicated to vehicles with defined minimum number of passengers. HOV lane designations are typically in effect only during morning and afternoon commute hours.

ITS - Intelligent Transportation System – SAFE TEA-LU establishes an ITS Program to enhance the capacity, efficiency, and safety of the transportation system and to serve as an alternative to additional physical capacity. Automated highways and vehicles are one component of this approach. ITS is defined as the development of electronics, communications or information processing used singly or in combination to improve the efficiency and safety of surface transportation systems.

Intercity Rail - For transportation planning and programming purposes within California, Intercity Rail is characterized by interregional passenger travel oriented towards non-commute hours. Caltrans is generally responsible for planning and programming Intercity Rail projects through the ITIP and STIP.

ISTEA - The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 - also known as federal reauthorization. Passed by Congress in December of 1991, it provides for a major restructuring of the highway program. Key components of this Act included a increased flexibility in the programming of projects, a level playing field between highway and transit projects with a consistent 80/20 matching ratio, ties to the Federal Clean Air Act and Americans with Disabilities Act, and an emphasis on maintenance of the existing system and operational improvements. The Act was reauthorized in 1997 as TEA-21 (see p. 13) in 2005 as TEA-LU (see page 13).

Interstate Maintenance - A Federal funding category for maintenance of the Interstate system that specifically limits the use of these funds for capacity increasing projects that are not high-occupancy-vehicle lanes or auxiliary (merging) lanes. Eligible activities include reconstruction of bridges, interchanges and overcrossings along existing Interstate routes, including the acquisition of right-of-way where necessary, and preventive maintenance.

ITIP - This five-year program is the Caltrans equivalent of the RTIP (see p. 11). Twenty-five percent of the capital funds is set aside for ITIP projects. Sixty percent of the ITIP must be expended on interregional roads outside of urbanized areas and intercity rail; at least fifteen percent of the total must be used for intercity rail. Together, the RTIP and the ITIP are the major constituents of the STIP. Unlike the RTIP, the CTC has full authority to pick and chose projects in the ITIP for inclusion in the STIP. The RTIP and the ITIP are to be submitted to the CTC on the same day, December 15 of each odd-numbered year.

JARC – Job Access/Reverse Commute – An FTA grant fund source. The twofold purpose of the program is (1) to develop transportation services designed to transport welfare recipients and low-income individuals to and from jobs, and (2) to develop transportation services for residents of urban centers and rural and suburban areas to suburban employment opportunities. Emphasis is placed on projects that use mass transportation services.

LAFCO - Local Agency Formation Commission - Designated agency within each county which decides on annexation, incorporation, and special district formation matters.

LOS - Level of Service - A semi-quantitative measure of congestion that compares actual or projected traffic volume with the maximum capacity of the intersection, road, or transit service in question. The scale is from A to F with A denoting free-flowing traffic (or an excellent transit service) and F representing at or above capacity conditions.

LTF - Local Transportation Fund - A one-quarter cent of the state sales tax that is returned-to-source. The disbursement of the funds is through MTC following the TDA (see p. 13) statutes and regulations. In counties of under five hundred thousand, according to the 1970 census, it is possible to spend the funds on road and street maintenance, otherwise it is to be expended on the provision of public mass transportation, including trains. The source funds most of the transit operations in the Napa communities.

Mobile Source Control Measure - Measures designed to reduce emissions from motor vehicles. Includes inspection and maintenance programs, fuel requirements, and engine standards.

MPO - Metropolitan Planning Organizations - Federally designated organizations for urbanized areas of greater than 200,000 population mandated to carry out the transportation planning process required by TEA-21. MTC (see next) is the MPO for the nine Bay Area counties.

MTC - Metropolitan Transportation Commission - Created by state statute in 1970 for the nine counties of the Bay Area. Responsibilities include: approving transportation projects that receive state or federal funding, allocating several sources of funds for transit operations, evaluating the performance of the transportation system and the provision of transportation service, promoting and setting guidelines for transit systems coordination, and advocating adequate transportation funding. The Commission consists of 16 voting members, including one member each from ABAG and BCDC. The Commission also has three non-voting members, one each from the state and federal transportation agencies and one from the federal housing department. MTC is both the MPO and RTPA (see p. 12) for the Bay Area.

MTS - Metropolitan Transportation System - A regional, multi-modal transportation system that was defined as part of the 1991 MTC RTP (see p. 13). The MTS is used for both planning and funding programming purposes.

NCTPA - Napa County Transportation & Planning Agency (NCTPA) was formed in 1988 as a joint effort by the cities of American Canyon, Calistoga, Napa, St. Helena, the town of Yountville and the County of Napa. The NCTPA serves as the countywide transportation planning agency.

NEPA - National Environmental Policy Act - The federal equivalent of CEQA (see p. 3), it controls the environmental analysis of projects at the federal level.

NHS - National Highway System – A federally designated 160,000 mile system providing an interconnected system of principal arterial routes to serve major travel destinations and population centers, international border crossings, as well as ports, airports, public transportation facilities, and other intermodal transportation facilities. The NHS must also meet national defense requirements and serve interstate and interregional travel. Eligible projects include new construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of highways, operational improvements, mass transit projects in an NHS corridor, safety improvements, transportation planning, traffic management and control, parking facilities, carpool projects, and bicycle and pedestrian projects. In areas that do not meet federal clean air standards, up to one hundred percent of NHS funding is transferable to the STP (see p. 14) upon request of the State.

North/South split - State law (Section 188 of the Streets and Highway Code) requires that programming be balanced so that 60% of the capital outlay (see p. 3) is spent in the 11 Southern counties, and 40% is spent in the 45 Northern counties. This balance must occur for the period July 1, 1989 to June 30, 1993, and for each subsequent four-year period.

NOx – Oxides of Nitrogen – One of the precursors of ozone (smog). The CAP (see p. 3) seeks to control these products of combustion to meet both state and federal ozone levels.

Obligation - An action by an administrative agency approving the spending of money for a specific purpose to a specific grant recipient.

OPR - Office of Planning and Research - Serves as comprehensive state planning policy agency, and as primary liaison with local governments. OPR has statutory responsibilities relating to permit assistance and to state and federal environmental and project review procedures.

Operational Improvement – TEA-21 defines an operational improvement as a capital improvement for installation of traffic surveillance and control equipment, computerized signal systems, motorist information systems, integrated traffic control systems, incident management programs, and transportation demand management facilities, strategies, and programs and such other capital improvements to public roads as the Secretary may designate, by regulation. The term does not include resurfacing, restoring, or rehabilitating improvements, construction of additional lanes, interchanges, grade separations, or the construction of a new facility at a new location.

Principal Arterial - The functional classification system at the federal level defines principal arterials for rural areas, urbanized areas, and small urban areas. (Note: other definitions of principal arterials exist.) In urbanized areas, the principal arterial system can be identified as unusually significant to the area in which it lies in terms of the nature and composition of travel. Principal arterials derive their importance from service to rural oriented traffic or from service for major movements within the urbanized area. The US Department of Transportation provides guidance that 40-65% of the VMT (see definition p. 15) should be accounted for on the principal arterial system.

Project Delivery Report - Government Code Section 14525.5 requires Caltrans to submit to the Legislature by Nov. 15 of each year a report on the delivery of all state highway projects in the adopted STIP (see p. 13) that cost $1 million or more and for which the department is the responsible agency for project development work (including some, but not all, locally-funded projects). The report must identify milestone dates by month and year for these projects, and must summarize the number of projects which met milestones and identify those that failed to meet one or more milestones. For those that failed, the report must explain the reasons for the delay and present a plan to resolve any problems and a new schedule for delivery. The report must also include an estimate of Caltrans' capital outlay project development staffing needs for the next fiscal year in order to deliver the adapted STIP, and a determination of the portion of project development work that will be performed by Caltrans and the portion that will be contracted out. This report is then assessed by the Legislative Analyst in the yearly analysis of the governor's proposed budget.

Proposition 42 - Requires, effective July 1, 2003, existing revenues resulting from state sales and use taxes on the sale of motor vehicle fuel be used for transportation purposes as provided by law until June 30, 2008. Requires, effective July 1, 2008, existing revenues resulting from state sales and use taxes be used for public transit and mass transportation; city and county street and road repairs and improvements; and state highway improvements. Imposes the requirement for a two-thirds of the Legislature to suspend or modify the percentage allocation of the revenues.

Proposition 111 - Passed by state voters in June of 1990, Proposition 111 raised the state gas tax by nine cents, with a schedule for phase-in of collection. It also raised truck weight fees. Proposition 111 established the Congestion Management Program (see p. 3).

PM10 and PM2.5 – Particles of 10 Microns or less and Particles of 2.5 Microns or less – Particulate matter of these sizes are criterion pollutants under state and/or federal statutes. Attaining and maintaining the air quality standards requires the measurement of these small particles to equal or better the standards.

PMS - Pavement Management System – A system to assess road maintenance needs both immediately and in the future. As required by Section 2108.1 of the Streets and Highways Code, any jurisdiction that wishes to qualify for funding under the STIP (see p. 13) must have a PMS that is in conformance with the criteria adopted by the Joint City/ County/State Cooperation Committee. In the Bay Area, certification is done by implementing jurisdictions and submitted to MTC. MTC then makes a finding of agreement with the certification and transmits the certification to the CTC with the RTIP.

PSR - Project Study Report - Chapter 878 of Statutes 1987 requires that any capacity-increasing project on the state highway system, before programming the STIP (see p. 13), have a completed PSR. The PSR must include a detailed description of the project scope and estimated costs. The intent of this legislation was to improve the accuracy of the schedule and costs shown in the STIP, and thus improve the overall accuracy of the estimates of STIP delivery and costs.

PTA – Public Transit Account - A state account, funded by the sales tax on gas and the diesel sales tax, that is the primary funding source for the STAF accounts.

ROG – Reactive Organic Gases – One of the components that under proper conditions becomes ozone, a major constituent of smog. The CAP (see p. 3) seeks to limit the amount of ROG as an ozone precursor.

RTIP - Regional Transportation Improvement Program - A list of transportation projects submitted to the CTC (see p. 4) by the regional transportation planning agency (MTC for the Bay Area), as a request for state funding. The RTIP has a five-year planning horizon, and is updated every two years. Projects are first proposed by local jurisdictions, then evaluated and prioritized by the regional agency for submission to the CTC by December 1 of each odd-numbered year. The amount of funds available to each county is determined by the fund estimate (see p. 6) and the county entitlement calculations (see p. 4). The CTC can accept the RTIP as submitted or can reject the entire document; the CTC does not have the power to accept or reject individual projects in the RTIP.

RTP - Regional Transportation Plan - A comprehensive 25-year plan for the region, updated every three years by the regional transportation planning agency (MTC for the Bay Area). The RTP includes goals, objectives, and policies, and recommends specific transportation improvements. The total proposed expenditures in the RTP must be no more than the estimated income over the horizon of the document. A project must be in the RTP before it can be included in the RTIP and thus into the STIP.

RTPA - Regional Transportation Planning Agency - A state-designated agency responsible for preparing the Regional Transportation Plan. See also MPO. MTC is the RTPA for the Bay Area counties.

Resources Agency - State agency which administers policies, laws, and regulations for many natural resources in California. The Resources Agency consists of 7 departments, including Water Resources, Forestry, Fish and Game, Boating/Waterways, Parks and Recreation, and Conservation. The Agency also has oversight for the California Energy Commission, the Coastal Commission, and the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC).

SHOPP - State Highway Operations and Protection Plan - A program created by state legislation that includes state highway safety and rehabilitation projects, seismic retrofit projects, land and buildings projects, landscaping, some operational improvements, bridge replacement, and the minor programs - generally those types of projects that Caltrans as the owner-operator of the system must do to maintain the integrity of the system. Unlike STIP projects, SHOPP projects may not increase roadway capacity. SHOPP is a ten-year program of projects with the first four years clearly defined, adopted separately from the STIP cycle.

SIP - State Implementation Plan - A compilation of the federal air quality plans from air quality districts around the state produced by the state Air Resources Board.

SOV - Single Occupant Vehicle - Vehicle with driver only.

SRTP - Short-Range Transit Plans - A nine-year comprehensive plan required of transit operators by federal and regional funding agencies. The plans must define the operator's mission, analyze past and current performance, and plan specific operational and capital improvements to realize short-term objectives.

STA - State Transit Assistance - This program provides funding for mass transit and transportation planning. Half of the revenues transferred to the PTA Account (see p. 11) are appropriated to STA. STA apportionments to regional transportation planning agencies (MTC in the Bay Area) are determined by two formulas - 50% by population and 50% by the amount of operator revenues (fares, sales tax, etc.) for the prior year. STA funds may be used for transit capital or operating expenditures only.

SSTAC – Social Service Transportation Advisory Council – A requirement of TDA law for counties of under 500,000 population by the 1970 census. The body advises MTC on expenditures of TDA funds for roads and streets purposes. The role is filled by the Paratransit Coordinating Council, a group advisory to the NCTPA Board.

STIP - State Transportation Improvement Program - A list of transportation projects, proposed in RTIPs (see p. 11) and the ITIP (see p. 7), which are approved for funding by the CTC.

STP - Surface Transportation Program - A flexible funding program in SAFE TEA-LU (see p. 8). Many mass transit and highway projects are eligible for this funding. Ten percent of the STP projects must be Transportation Enhancement Activities (see p. 13).

TCMs - Transportation Control Measure - A measure intended to reduce pollutant emissions from motor vehicles. Examples of TCMs include programs to encourage ridesharing or public transit usage, and city or county trip reduction ordinances.

TCRF - Transportation Congestion Relief Fund – As established in AB 2928 (Torlakson, 2000) state source of funds for selected projects. The 4.99 billion dollar TCRF contains seven million dollars for congestion relief on SR 12 through Jameson Canyon.

TDA - Transportation Development Act - State legislation that controls the disbursement of STA (see p. 13), LTF (see p. 8) and several other transportation related funds including much of the PTA (see p. 11) funds. Generally, in conversation "TDA" means just the LTF monies, although the STA funds are often included.

TDM - Transportation Demand Management - "Demand-based" techniques for reducing traffic congestion, such as ridesharing programs and flexible work schedules enabling employees to commute outside peak hours.

TEA - Transportation Enhancement Activities – SAFE TEA-LU defines transportation enhancement activities for potential funding under the STP as the provision of facilities for pedestrians and bicycles, acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites, scenic or historic highway programs, landscaping and other scenic beautification, historic preservation, rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures, facilities and canals, preservation of abandoned railway corridors including the conversion and use for pedestrian or bicycle trails, control and removal of outdoor advertising, archaeological planning and research, and mitigation of water pollution due to highway runoff. Tea funds are accessed through the STIP.

TEA-21 – Transportation Equity Act for the Twenty-First Century – Adopted in 1996, it replaced ISTEA (see p. 7).

(SAFE) TEA-LU - TEA LU reauthorizes the federal highway, public transportation, highway safety, and motor carrier safety programs for six years, from fiscal years 2004 through 2009. The policy features of the bill from the last Congress are retained.

TFCA – Transportation Fund for Clean Air – see AB 434 (p. 1)

TIP - Transportation Improvement Program - A federally required document produced by the regional transportation planning agency (MTC in the Bay Area) that states the investment priorities for transit and transit-related improvements, mass transit guideways, general aviation and highways. A project using federal transportation funds, on the federal system, on the state system, requiring a federal permit, or of regional significance must be included in the TIP.

Traffic model – A computerized simulation of various modes of traffic in an area. Models vary from sketch level over a very wide area – up to and including and entire state or region – down to detailed models of very small areas, as small as a single intersection. Models may be projective or current and may or may not include all of the transportation modes in the area. Modeling can be a powerful device in projecting future conditions and determining the most cost-effective methods of meeting transportation needs.

TRO - Trip Reduction Ordinance - An ordinance adopted with the intent of reducing trips to control air pollution, vehicle congestion, or both. By California statute, any such ordinance cannot require actions by an employer to reduce employee trips.

TSM - Transportation Systems Management - Numerous techniques to relieve congestion without adding vehicle capacity to the transportation system. Some are "demand-based" techniques such as ridesharing programs and flexible work schedules enabling employees to commute to work outside peak hours. (Sometimes the demand-based strategies are referred to as TDM.) Other TSM measures are engineering-oriented, such as timing traffic signals to smooth the flow of traffic, and ramp metering, which regulates the entrance of vehicles onto a freeway, thereby increasing the efficiency of the freeway.

Urban area – An area of 5,000 or more designated by the U.S. Census Bureau. An urban area ranking changes the funding classification of an area for certain federal transportation funds.

Urbanized area - An area with a population of 50,000 or more designated by the U.S. Census Bureau, within boundaries to be fixed by responsible state and local officials in cooperation with each other, subject to approval by the Secretary of Transportation. Napa is an urbanized area.

VMT - Vehicle Miles Traveled - The number of miles traveled by all vehicles in a selected area or on a selected roadway. Useful in determining level of use of the system, estimating fuel consumption or quantifying mobile source pollution emissions.